New look proposed for downtown Beaverton

Streetscape plan on display at special committee meeting

A draft streetscape plan for the downtown core was back up for discussion Monday (April 29) night during a special Brock Township planning committee meeting at Beaverton Town Hall.

"This is a long-term visionâ?¦painting a picture for the future," explained John McMullen of Plan By Design, an Oriilia based urban planning and landscape architecture firm hired by the Township to complete the plan.

A lengthy presentation outlined a number of areas for improvement, though the chief priority moving forward is sprucing up some of the downtown storefronts.

"There are a number of heritage buildings, but some need work," Mr. McMullen said.

"They don't bring a historical value to the downtown," said Sarah Geisser, a landscape architect working alongside Mr. McMullen, later in the meeting.

A slideshow of concept drawings featured a variety of minor and major touch-ups to practically all of the downtown businesses.

"There are all kinds of opportunities here," Ms Geisser said.

The pair suggested that the Township offer incentives to business owners to cover facade improvements through the adoption of a formal Community Improvement Plan.

According to CAO/Clerk Thom Gettinby, the municipality could have something in place by the end of the year.

"It will be completed for possible inclusion in the 2014 budget," he said.

While he hasn't broached a dollar figure with members of council, Mr. Gettinby estimated that between $10,000 to $20,000 could be socked away next year.

"It could provide rebates for planning related fees and construction costs," he said, noting that many of the details have yet to be hashed out.

Regional Councillor Debbie Bath admitted that public support -- both in a literal and broader sense -- will help determine the success of the streetscape plan.

"It all comes down to dollars and buy-in from the public," she said.

One of the biggest challenges in the storefront makeovers, apart from financial considerations, is ensuring that all of the business owners are on the same page.

Mr. McMullen and Ms Geisser suggested sticking to a similar theme or colour scheme throughout the downtown core.

"You need an element of consistency," Mr. McMullen said, noting that mind set applies to vacant storefronts as well.

He suggested working with the owners of empty properties to use the front windows to promote upcoming events or the community as a whole.

"Vacant storefronts are a reality in many small towns, but there are a number of ways to make them more attractive."

While the visual appeal of some of the downtown businesses could use some work, Mr. McMullen noted that the overall streetscape has been updated.

"Investments have been made in the public realm. The road and sidewalks are in good shape, the street lights are relatively new," he said.

"The bones of the streetscape are in place."

But one glaring area that needs to be addressed according to Mr. McMullen is the intersection at Simcoe and Osborne streets.

"That's very close to the heart of Beaverton," he said.

"You need to create something with a unique character."

He suggested removing some of the parking spaces on the north side of Simcoe across from the intersection and adding flower planters, benches and a crosswalk to liven things up from a visual perspective.

Other suggestions included improvements to Old Mill Gateway Park and the bridge on Mara Road, as well as waymarking signs throughout the village to help guide visitors.

"You need to find a way to grab people out at the highway and pull them into the downtown," Mr. McMullen said.

"Beaverton needs more people to invest in its future."

When it comes to tourism, Beaverton's biggest draw is unquestionably Lake Simcoe. But heading past the village on Highway 12 or walking through the downtown core, newcomers to the area wouldn't even know it was there due to a lack of signs.

"You need to strengthen the bond with the waterfront," Mr. McMullen said.

He also suggested tidying up the stretch of the Beaver River that runs behind shops on the north side of Simcoe.

"We believe the Beaver River is important to Beaverton," Mr. McMullen said.

The development of a streetscape plan is part of an ongoing downtown revitalization project dubbed Beaverton 180Â°.

The draft was developed during a pair of public open houses held in February and March.

The final version will be presented to council on May 27.

"We've still got about a month before we deliver the final plan," Mr. McMullen said.

Scott Howard is editor of the Brock Citizen. He can be reached via email at showard@mykawartha.com